4 carrots (about 400g/14oz), peeled and cut into roughly 3cm/1ΒΌin chunks
4 celery sticks, trimmed and cut into roughly 3cm/1ΒΌin lengths
2 onions, thinly sliced
mashed potatoes, to serve
3 tbsp plain flour (25g/1oz)
1 tbsp yeast extract
1 bay leaf (dried or fresh)
1 beef stock cube
ground black pepper
1 tsp dried mixed herbs
1 tsp flaked sea salt, plus extra to season
2 tbsp tomato purΓ©e
900g/2lb good-quality braising steak, trimmed and cut into roughly 4cm/1Β½in chunks
100g/3Β½oz smoked bacon lardons, or sliced smoked back bacon